Where to eat the best ice cream this summer according to Gault&Millau

Whether in a jar, cone, scoop or Italian style, ice creams are always a pleasure to eat. These refreshing treats offer a wide range of flavors, enough to satisfy the curious. Ice cream is also a savoir-faire, and artisan ice-cream makers have their own category of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Across France, many of them cultivate the art and craft of making delicious ice cream cones. Here's a selection.

In Paris, Bachir

Artisan ice-cream makers abound in Paris, like Bachir. This family-run business, known in Lebanon for almost a century, moved to France three years ago. Located in the 3ᵉ arrondissement of Paris, the three sisters at the head of the store offer 100% natural and organic creations. The long daily queue to get your frozen grail is proof positive that the recipe is a success. Be patient!
► Where? 58 rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris 3

In Calais, Van den Casteele

For some thirty years now, this family-run business has been offering a range of artisanal ice creams. Its creator Michel Van Den Casteele, a true lover of Flanders, respects his region and sources as much of his milk and fruit as possible from the North. A total of ten Van den Casteele boutiques are available across the département, with a commitment to making his products customizable for customers.
► Where? 247 boulevard Victor Hugo, 62100 Calais

In Colmar, Glaces Alsa

Located on the first floor of a house in Colmar, Glaces Alsa has been open for over a century. Now a true benchmark, the store offers a hundred different flavors. In addition, entremets, vacherins and pièces montées can be sold for events, for example.
► Where? 5 rue Thann, 68000 Colmar

In Lyon, Glacier Terre Adélice

Since 2010, a little bit of Ardèche has set up shop in the heart of old Lyon. It boasts the AB (Agriculture Biologique) label, thanks in particular to the care taken in selecting its products. In all, up to 96 fans can enjoy an organic ice cream on a seat on the terrace or indoors at Glacier Terre Adélice.
► Where? 1 place de la Baleine, 69005 Lyon 5

In Nice, Gelateria Azzurro

Located in Vieux-Nice, this ice cream parlour boasts some fifty different flavors. Its proximity to the Italian border changes the style of the ice creams offered. Note that Gelateria Azzurro is open until at least 11pm every day of the week, so you can treat yourself to a refreshing treat at any time of the day or evening.
► Where? 1 rue Saint-Réparate, 06000 Nice

In Marseille, Le Glacier du Roi

It's been 15 years since mother and daughter embarked on the adventure of opening Le Glacier du Roi. After training in Italy, they set up shop in the heart of Marseille, joined a few years later by their youngest daughter. Here, you'll find innovative ice creams such as shuttle ice cream. Full details of all the flavors are available on their website, so you'll be sure to have your mouth watering before you come and treat yourself.
► Where? 4 place de Lenche, 13002 Marseille 2

In Toulouse, Le Florida

This is surely the best-known address in the Occitanie region. Le Florida - Philippe Faur, located on Toulouse's famous Place du Capitole, boasts a large terrace. Plenty of room to sample one of the craftsman's creations in jars or cones. He who has been working and perpetuating his know-how across the territories for over three decades.
► Where? 12 place du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse

In Biarritz, the Maison Dezamy

The Maison Dezamy in Biarritz is located near the town's covered market. A superb opportunity to stroll around with an ice cream made from local milk (less than 10 km away). As well as being available to buy in isothermal bags, the Maison Dezamy store offers a series of ice-cream pastries to share, such as the Basque beret revisited or the Norwegian omelette.
► Where? 11 rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz

In Limoges, Coudert

Inland lies Coudert, because there's more to Limoges than porcelain. The program is vast, with flavors to please everyone. Verrines, cones and jars of ice creams and sorbets fill the store's stalls. Spicy flavors such as ginger, bell pepper and rum raisin set this address apart. Iced desserts such as vacherin are also on sale.
► Where? 19 rue Othon Péconnet, 87000 Limoges

In La Rochelle, Ernest Le Glacier

Before taking an excursion around Fort Boyard, you can sample classic ice creams and sorbets at Ernest le Glacier, a chic, original and committed boutique. This Charentais jewel stands out with its black forest, gianduja and apricot-nougatine-pavot flavors. All to be eaten with 100% edible spoons.
► Where? 18 rue du Port, 17000 La Rochelle

In Vannes, Les Fermiers Sablés

Les Fermiers Sablé, a beautiful boutique decked out entirely in lavender blue, offers around twenty flavors of classic ice creams and sorbets. In addition to these frozen entremets and logs, the Breton store offers the curious other fresh sweet treats such as milkshakes, sundaes and smoothies.
► Where? 27 place des Lices, 56000 Vannes

In Deauville, Martine Lambert

By the English Channel, every day of the week, the artisan ice cream maker treats her customers to her many offerings. At Martine Lambert's, the ice creams and sorbets have surprising flavors to say the least, like the combination of gingerbread and candied fruit, or white chocolate and Espelette pepper. All this is accompanied by six different logs and seven iced desserts.
► Where? 76 bis rue Eugène Colas, 14800 Deauville